Does anyone like long

Are long US trains over 7,500 feet doomed? Only if some states, have any say in the matter. Peter LeCody, President at Texas

NEWS continues to ramp up about long, longer and longest freight trains almost on a weekly basis. It’s gotten to the point where the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued a train safety advisory to reinforce steps in making up long trains and reduce forces that could cause those trains to derail.

Placement of loads like cars with heavy loads, cushioning devices and empty cars in the wrong section of long trains could cause a derailment on curves, grades and in undulating territory when slack runs in or out with enough force to force a derailment. Those factors have raised eyebrows at the FRA and have led to further enquiries.

Rail labour leaders welcomed the FRA safety advisory announcement, while railroads were making sure their operating practices followed federal guidelines. Unions have claimed that longer and heavier trains and hurried-up inspections of consists pose poten-